REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench Review
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In this REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench review, I'm going to be showing you one of the best weight benches money can buy.
Not only do I think this bench performs amazingly, it's also reasonably priced at $230. Whether you're benching 1000lbs or just need to pop a squat (pun intended?) after some deadlifts, the REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench stands tall.
REP FB-5000 Flat Bench
The REP FB-5000 Competition Bench is among the best of the best when it comes to weight benches.
Durable, high weight capacity, strong construction, and comfort make it a must-have for serious lifters.
Brief Look at the REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
The REP FB-5000 Competition flat weight bench is among the most popular flat benches for home gym owners and it's hard not to see why. Well-built, durable, and budget-friendly, you won't find quality fitness equipment like this often.
I’ve used the FB-5000 plenty in my time lifting and it feels familiar as the last, it's a real pleasure to use compared to most weight benches.
If you're a fan of Rogue (and who isn't) you'll notice that the FB-5000 Comp Bench is very obviously a competitor to the Rogue Monster Utility Bench and REP knew they could make a budget-friendly competition bench.
What I Liked
- IPF qualified (bench height is 17")
- Very affordable
- Pad is just right, not too firm or soft
- Single-post design allows for freedom of legs/feet
What i Didn't Like
- Single-post design can be a tad unstable for certain movements
- Tighter and thicker cut vinyl would be nice
Is The REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench Worth It?
Absolutely, otherwise I wouldn't be reviewing it, right? Well, I review as much as I can to make sure you know what you're buying but the REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench is a definitive yes for whether it's worth it.
Once upon a time the FB-5000 was alone at the top, now there are plenty more options for weight benches out there, but I think the FB-5000 has still carved out it's own place and remained a favorite for home gym owners.
With it's excellent design (single-post), comfortable padding, IPF-certified dimensions, and low cost (+ free shipping), it's hard to find something better in its category. Doesn't matter if you bench 100lbs or 600lbs, this bench is great value for anyone.
Good For
- People who want freedom with their feet during bench press
- Variety of pad options
- Home gym owners that need a budget option to Rogue
- Anyone that wants high-quality equipment at low cost
- Powerlifters who need an IPF-certified bench
Not Good For
- Anyone that wants an adjustable bench
- Lifters that don't need large weight capacity (cheaper models of the REP FB Benches can handle plenty)
REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench - Specifications
Dimensions | 48" L x 17" H x 12" W |
Bench Weight | 62 Lbs. |
Weight Capacity | 1000 Lbs. |
Construction | 11-Gauge Steel |
Pad width | 12" |
Pad thickness | 4" |
Colors | Metallic Black Red Blue Matte Black Clear Coat |
Made in USA | No |
Warranty | 10-Year |
Using The REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
As I said, my experiences with the REP Fitness FB-5000 Flat Bench have been nothing but enjoyable. I'm not huge into powerlifting comps, but the fact that it has a 17" height which makes it IPF-certified is a bonus for you animals that compete and need a bench that meets the powerlifting standards.
The other dimensions measure 48" long, and 12" in width, so it's modest sized. A total weight capacity of 1000lbs means no matter how much you're weight you're bench pressing, it'll handle it.
The bench itself is about 62lbs, so it's sturdy when you're doing dumbbell exercises like dumbbell rows. The single-post design is perfect for bench press, and I love it because it allows you to move your feet around and position them as you please.
Much of the competition (Rogue and Titan Fitness) opted for a flat-foot design in the front. It's more stable, but like I said, it can be cumbersome when benching. They've also switched some of their flat bench designs to the single-post style.
Why does it matter where you put your feet for stability? In powerlifting, which this bench is good for, you need to learn to place your feet properly, and the flat-foot design can get in your way. This can affect leg drive and limit your ability to push.
For those of you competing in powerlifting competitions, knowing you can train at home on a bench that has similar characteristics and dimensions to what you'd use in your comp is a huge advantage compared to lifters that have to adjust their body to adapt to a new weight bench.
Construction & Durability
Frame
Starting with the frame, there's the obvious design choice of the single-post, which provides more freedom to move your feet and adjust, but it's slightly less stable than a flat-foot design.
Not to worry as it's still stable, and it's made of 3x3" 11-gauge steel, which is the same steel used for power racks and other larger rigs.
The pad is also mounted in 4 spots to keep it nice and secure on the frame so it doesn't wiggle around when you adjust or readjust during lifts.
Compared to the Titan Fitness Flat Bench, which has only 2 mounting points, it feels much more secure and I'm thankful for that design choice.
Did I mention? You can choose from 5 colors. Metallic black, red, blue, matte black, and clear coat options allow you to personalize your gym with a real winner of a weight bench.
Bench Pad & Vinyl
At 4" thick, the bench pad has enough depth to it to keep you from sinking in and feeling the frame of the bench itself.
Mind you, the vinyl covering could have been cut a tad tighter to the pad, but I have no complaints considering they upgraded the grippy texture so it's even more secure now.
Wheels & Handle
A big bonus to this bench is the addition of wheels and a handle to help you transport it and move it around your home gym.
The handle is located at the single-post and the wheels are attached to the flat-feet end.
RELATED: Titan Fitness Flat Bench Review
REP FB-5000 Bench vs. Rogue Monster Utility Bench
Ever since the REP FB-5000 was released, many companies have taken notice of its popularity and have since created their own take on the bench.
Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0
Although slightly more pricey, the Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 allows for upright storage and has the Made in USA quality that Rogue is known for.
Rogue upgraded their Monster Utility Bench so it was slightly shorter to attach the Thompson Fat Pad, added wheels and a handle, and added upright storage.
The Rogue Monster Utility Bench 2.0 is a very capable and good looking flat bench, but the REP FB-5000 still takes the cake in terms of value. If you want the Made in USA quality of Rogue's bench, or like the Monster Utility Bench design, it's not a bad choice, but I still stick by the REP flat bench.
REP FB-5000 Bench vs. Titan Fitness Flat Bench
Make no mistake, the Titan Fitness Flat Bench doesn't quite stack up to the FB-5000 bench simply because the Titan bench isn't a competition bench. Otherwise, it's a deceivingly good bench.
Titan Fitness Flat Bench
The Titan Fitness Flat Bench isn't a competition bench, but it can handle up to 1000lbs, has 3x3" 11-gauge steel, and even meets IPF height standards the best part - it's friggin' cheap.
It features the flat-foot design which is not conducive to powerlifting, it surprisingly has the 17" height so it meets IPF requirements, and uses 3x3" 11-gauge steel to support a 1000lb weight capacity.
Ultimately, the only issue are the posts and the vinyl isn't as high-quality as the other competition, but for $149, you can do a whole lot worse than the Titan Flat Bench.
REP FB-5000 Bench vs. Bells of Steel Powerlifting Bench
A worthy competitor to the FB-5000 weight bench is the Bells of Steel Powerlifting Bench. In nearly every aspect, this bench is identical to the FB-5000. Grippy vinyl pad, single-post design, handle and wheels, 1000lb weight capacity.
Bells of Steel Powerlifting Bench
Bells of Steel Flat Bench is a very similar, almost identical, powerlifting bench to the FB-5000 and it's within the same price range so it's a solid alternative.
Where the Bells of Steel bench differs is that it uses 12-gauge steel, not 11 like the REP flat bench. REP gets a slight edge in strength of steel frame, but the 1000lb weight capacity is so far from what you'll reach it's negligible.
It's important to note that Bells of Steel has a lifetime warranty the bench frame. REP offers a 10-year warranty on theirs.
Customer Experience & Reviews
REP Fitness has a good reputation (pun again intended) for quality customer service. You can reach them on their site, or by email or phone. They also allow you to track your order which is a nice bonus that keeps me sane when I wait for my new goodies.
The REP FB-5000 Bench currently has a 4.9 (out of 5) average rating and the customers seem to love it as much I do, some going as far as saying it's the "Best Flat Bench Ever IMO."
I've also done a write-up for anyone looking to find ways on how to save money on REP Fitness to build a home gym for cheap.
Final Verdict - REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench Review
I guess to sum it all up, I'd call the REP FB-5000 bench outstanding. At just $239, there aren't many competition flat benches out there that can hold a candle to REPs bench.
- The REP Fitness FB-5000 offers some of the best value for a flat bench.
- My personal recommendation for home gym owners that want quality for a reasonable cost.
- Competition or not, this is among the best weight benches out there.
Final Rating
REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
One of the best flat benches money can buy, the REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench is a must for home gym owners. Grippy vinyl, quality design and build, low cost, and a durable weight capacity make this the best value weight bench you'll find.
Brand: REP Fitness
Currency: $USD
Price: $239.99
In-Stock: InStock
Rep FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench Rating
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REP FB-5000 Flat Bench FAQs
What Is The REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Weight Bench?
The REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench is a weight bench that is likely the best budget weight bench you can find. It's constructed well and priced very low for such a high-quality flat bench.
Is The REP FB-5000 Competition Bench Worth It?
The REP Fitness FB-5000 Bench is among the most affordable competition and flat benches that you can find today. Many competitor benches will be much higher in price compared to the REP bench.
Where Can I Buy the REP Fitness FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench
You can find the FB-5000 Flat Bench at the official REP Fitness website.
What height is the REP FB-5000 Flat Bench?
The dimensions for the REP FB-5000 Competition Flat Bench measure - 48" L x 17" H x 12" W which means it meets IPF standards requirements for competition use.
